NRL News: Tigers sideline Justin Olam talks, ARL considers State of Origin eligibility change
The NRL is pondering the biggest State of Origin eligibility shake-up in its history, in a move that could open the door for players from tier-one nations England and New Zealand.
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One of Michael Maguire’s first jobs as NSW coach will be to provide advice on an overhaul of the State of Origin eligibility rules.
ARL Commissioner Wayne Pearce wants to be in position to put forward a plan for Origin’s future early in 2024, with a view to having new rules in place for next year’s series.
The biggest bone of contention is whether Origin should be open to players who meet the state guidelines but have pledged their allegiance to tier one nations England and New Zealand.
The rule change would allow the likes of Victor Radley to wear a Blues jersey despite playing their international football for the Poms.
Pearce wants to speak to the Origin coaches, which means Maguire and Billy Slater will have direct input into the future of the respective jerseys and who wears them.
Interestingly, Maguire may have been conflicted had he retained the New Zealand job. His only concern now is NSW and you suspect Maguire would be keen to have the option of selecting Radley if possible, particularly given the way the Blues have performed in recent years.
Likewise, Slater could suddenly have Jason Taumalolo at his disposal if the rules are changed Origin is opened up to a new group of players.
The issue has been a discussion point for years but ARL Commission chair Peter V’landys has charged Pearce with plotting a way forward, while at the same time ensuring the Origin concept isn’t diluted.
Maguire also came to the rescue of international rugby league this week when he personally chauffeured the Golden Boot back from New Zealand.
The award will be presented this week and Maguire carried it in his luggage across the Tasman before handing it over to officials when he arrived at NSW Rugby League headquarters for the press conference to officially unveil him as Blues boss.
TIGERS PAY PRICE FOR LUAI CHASE
The Wests Tigers have sidelined talks with Melbourne Storm centre Justin Olam as they focus their energy – and money – on signing Penrith superstar Jarome Luai.
This masthead revealed last month that the Tigers had opened talks with Olam over a potential move to Concord, part of a plan that would have seen Tigers forward Shawn Blore make an early switch to the Storm.
However, it is understood that the Tigers opted to put talks with Olam on the back burner earlier this week while they prioritise their pursuit of Luai.
The Tigers have launched a big-money bid for the three-time premiership winning half, making an offer more than a week ago believed to be worth in excess of $4.5 million over four seasons.
Club powerbroker had another meeting with Luai this week aimed at convincing the Samoan pivot to commit to the cause.
The decision to end talks with Olam comes as the Bulldogs enter the race for Luai after head of football Phil Gould personally intervened to pitch the club to the Panthers playmaker.
Gould also retains an interest in Warriors captain Addin Fonua-Blake, who has been given permission to explore his options in Sydney with a view to moving back home in 12 months.
The Tigers are also interested in Fonua-Blake but they had earmarked Olam to strengthen a backline in dire need to experience and strike.
The Storm were happy for the Tigers to go after the Papua New Guinean international given he had struggled at times this season, having been dropped and then won his spot back for the finals.
However, Luai comes with a steep price tag and the Tigers need all the room they can create under the salary cap to accommodate his wage demands.
Olam is now expected to remain at the Storm, although he also has interest from Super League after Warrington coach Sam Burgess explored the options of signing the hard-hitting centre a few months ago.
Blore’s future is unclear given he is expected to leave the Tigers at the end of 2024 and the club could use his salary cap space to strengthen their bids for Luai and Fonua-Blake.
IN DEMAND AFB BACK IN SYDNEY AS TUG OF WAR HEATS UP
Addin Fonua-Blake jetted into Sydney on Friday as he prepares to step up talks with the three clubs interested in signing him for 2025.
Sunday Sesh understands Fonua-Blake had dinner with Canterbury head of football Phil Gould on Friday night and is expected to be given a tour of the club’s Belmore headquarters over the weekend, where he will likely hold further talks with coach Cameron Ciraldo.
The Bulldogs have been active in the player market but are yet to fix their problems in the middle of the field. Fonua-Blake would be an easy answer, although he is still 12 months away from being released by the Warriors.
At some point in the next fortnight he is also expected to hold further meetings with St George Illawarra head coach Shane Flanagan and Wests Tigers mentor Benji Marshall, and tour their respective facilities.
The plan is to knock over the talks with clubs while Fonua-Blake and his wife Ana are on a break from training with the Warriors. Once Fonua-Blake has made his choice, the chosen club will then sit down with the Warriors to try to nut out a deal.
This masthead revealed last month that Fonua-Blake was keen to return to Sydney for personal reasons to be close to his family.
The Warriors have put strict requirements around the details of his release, in particular that he will only be cleared to join a Sydney club.
The Dragons wasted no time putting their hand up and Flanagan will be given his chance to convince Fonua-Blake to join the Red V in the next week or two.
CLUBS BOSSES REJECT PLAN TO PILLAGE RUGBY
Club bosses have railed against plans to provide exemptions for rugby union players during a meeting with the NRL earlier this week.
It comes as the new boss of Rugby Australia said blaming rugby league for their problems was too simplistic and ignored deeper problems within the code.
The NRL already has an exemption in their rules for young rugby union players but head office had raised the idea of extending those allowances to give clubs the chance to pick apart the rival code.
This masthead understands the club bosses rejected the plan en masse at a meeting on Thursday. It comes as freshly-minted RA chair Daniel Herbert suggested the loss of schoolboy players to rugby league was overstated.
“We’ve got plenty of outside backs, in my view, and often the kids who go to rugby schools half the time they’re rugby league kids who just got a scholarship to go there anyway,” Herbert said.
“So they say you lost them because they played at Nudgee or he played at Riverview or wherever but they were rugby league through and through.
And a lot of the kids play both. Kalyn Ponga went to Churchie (Anglican Church Grammar School), but he was a league kid who went to Churchie.
“He can play good rugby but you’re not going to get all of those guys. And they’ve got the choice. I don’t think we have to get them all.
“In Ireland, there’s Gaelic football, hurling and soccer. They’ve got plenty of competition as well.”
SAM’S SIDE GIG
Sam Burgess has plenty on his plate as he prepares to launch his Super league coaching career with the Warrington Wolves but that hasn’t stopped the South Sydney legend taking up a role as an ambassador with an investment firm in the UK.
Burgess has become a United Kingdom executive partner for Wealth Street. His charter, according to their website, is to help guide their clients on a path to international investment excellence.
“At Wealth Street, Sam embodies our mission and ignites our journey towards expansion into the northern hemisphere,” it says on the Wealth Street website.
“As a devoted ambassador in this region, he not only creates new investment opportunities from the UK into the secure haven of Australia but also paves the way for expats living in the UK and international investors to channel their aspirations and capital into the Australian landscape.”
MANLY STAR EYES OVERSEAS MOVE
Manly utility Karl Lawton is in talks with Super League clubs as he weighs up a move to England. Lawton has another year remaining on his contract but it is understood he has been approached over the proposed switch and the Sea Eagles are unlikely to stand in his way. Lawton’s likely departure will clear a place in Manly’s top 30 for experienced forward Nathan Brown, who is currently on a train-and-trial contract with the club.
FORMER BUNNY BACK AT THE BURROW
Braidon Burns is back at South Sydney. Burns, who left the Bulldogs at the end of last season, has returned to the Rabbitohs to work with Souths Cares and play for their NSW Cup side.
Burns spent five seasons at Souths and played 40 games before mobbing to Canterbury, where he played 22 games over two seasons.
He will also provide cover for the Rabbitohs backline at points during the year – they could potentially be hit hard by State of Origin commitments at some point during the year.
MANLY’S MATCHMAKER
Corey Waddell has returned to Manly and the scene of one of his great triumphs. Not on the football field, but off it.
Waddell was the man who introduced Sea Eagles champion Jake Trbojevic to his partner – Waddell’s sister Alix.
Now he is back at Manly, having returned after a stint at the Bulldogs.
“He is one of the best blokes in rugby league and outside of rugby league,” Waddell said.
“He is a great person – everyone knows that. I am happy for him and I am happy for my sister too. He is the best. He is a great bloke to be honest.
“To have him here and sort of be part of the family – having him to fall back on for advice – and having the opportunity to play together is pretty special.”
SOUTHS’ SECRET VEGAS TRAINING PLANS
South Sydney players are set to spend time at the Naval Special Warfare Center and eat with seal trainees before they head to Las Vegas to face Manly in next year’s season opener.
Rabbitohs chief operating officer Brock Schaefer has spent the past week in America, including time in San Diego, where the Rabbitohs plan to base themselves before heading to Las Vegas.
Schaefer met with officials from Major-league Rugby’s San Diego Legion, the US Navy Southwest and the San Diego Mayor.
He also spoke to the Pacific Coast Rugby League and the Rabbitohs plan to donate training equipment from their camp to help foster the game in America.
Rabbitohs players are expected to share a meal with seal trainees at the Naval Amphibious Base Coronado and have access to a variety of training areas of the base.
They will also visit the adjacent Naval Air Station Air North Island, home to three carriers and a helicopter landing ship are based. Rabbitohs players are expected to have the opportunity to use helicopter and jet simulators on the base.
The links with navy in America are significant because the Rabbitohs play to theme much of year around the navy, including their jersey for their ANZAC game.
CHN FACES CAREER DEFINING DECISION
Canberra back rower Corey Harawira-Naera faces a decisive meeting in January as he fights to save his career.
Harawira-Naera hasn’t played since collapsing during a Raiders’ game midway through the season and it is understood he visited a specialist this week, where he was forced to confront the prospect that his career may be over.
He will have more clarity in January but the Raiders have already started preparing for his absence after applying for a salary cap exemption while he is unavailable.
Harawira-Naera has two years remaining on his contract, believed to be worth about $600,000 a season. He is likely to take up a role with the club if he is forced to take a break from rugby league.
TIGERS JOINING VEGAS TRIP
The Wests Tigers won’t be part of the inaugural trip to Las Vegas but assistant coach and club legend Robbie Farah will have a presence thanks to the company he has started with business partner Jai Ayoub.
Farah and Ayoub are the brains behind Two4Seven, the sports and events company they started seven years ago. The pair have formed an alliance with the NRL and are offering exclusive access to the season-opening double header.
For those interested, they can be contacted on: jai@two4seven.com.au.
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